The First Rule of Thieves’ Guild…

Nitendae sighs as he strolls around the De Montebank townhouse.

It’s been over two weeks since he returned to NomPariel and no amount of talking to the inhabitants of this city has helped garner information on the elusive Drow or Death worshippers.

Nitendae had hoped that the Clerics of Pelor and Fharlanghn would provide a lead but so far… Nothing.

The Elf has no recourse but to approach the NomPariel thieves guild…

Nitendae rereads his, now crumpled, letter…

Nitendae.

The cost of membership to our Nompariel guild varies from applicant to applicant, depending on their area of expertise.

Your entry to our guild will be a single, unharmed bird from the dovecote of the famed merchant: Guile De Montebank.

If successful, deliver it to me in the concealed room at the back at the ‘Queen’s Gambit’.

Good luck,

Valois.

It’s been nearly a month since he received the letter but Nitendae had initially been distracted by an urgent mission to Coffin Butte. Since then, he’d been deliberating how to actually achieve the required membership feat.

The request seems too ‘cheap’ and he hasn’t even be able to find out who the mysterious ‘Valois’ is.

His elven senses tingle with a sense of foreboding.

After appraising the property, he found it to be lavish but relatively well guarded, with high outer walls, a strong metal gate and private guards.

Not impossible though.

The merchant is often away but his glamorous middle-aged wife; the Lady Montebank and her attendants are usually around.

Also, Nitendae is concerned about exploiting his less-than-subtle companions.

Still, Bastien and Demitasse have asked him to use his contacts and unless he joins the thieves guild, he doesn’t have any to ask.

His friends will all help him if he asks and the job will be easier with lookouts and distracters.

Marlon, the cumbersome Fighter had already agreed to help, on the condition that ‘No doves are harmed in the undertaking of this home invasion’.

Despite Nitendae’s misgivings, one thing is certain; If joins the NomPariel Thieves’ guild, he’ll have access to a great deal more information.

Perhaps the information they need to break the dark conspiracy...

Or perhaps just access to a well paid score?

A Hole lot of Profit

As you’re all (except Demitasse) staying in ‘The Hole in the Wall’ while in Nom Pariel, your basic living costs are reduced to nothing. In fact, since the previous owner: Dunkan has stopped milking the profits, ‘The Hole in the Wall’ is actually making money for you..

The Tavern daily profits on food and drink

Ale: At 3cp per Mug = 2gp per day

Food:  Cold at 1sp =  2gp per day

Food:  Hot at 2sp =  2gp per day

3 x Rooms for rent: 5sp per night = 0gp

(All rooms occupied by Party)

Sub-total profit = 6gp

The Tavern running costs

Costs in on food and drink = 1/3 = -2gp

Sub-total profit = 4gp

Local gang (The West-Side Slum Lords) ‘protection’ = 1gp per day

Sub-total profit = 3gp

Rosey’s salary = 3sp per day (and a room)

Sub-total profit = 2.7gp

Two cleaning girls (Luxina and Omona) = 2sp per day each = 4sp

Sub-total profit = 2.3gp

Building works:

Ricky the carpenter and Perry the mason

(working budget 3sp per day for ongoing repairs…including materials).

Sub-total profits = 2gp

Annual City tax =  5cp

(% dependant upon business type, zone and proximity to city centre.)

Music: Dillon the beardy lutist plays for just drinks, food and tips.

Food and drink for the five party members = 1gp, 1sp, 5cp

Total Average Daily profit = 8sp!

Third Date Proposition

Game Date suggestion:

Saturday 13th January 2018.

Any takers?

A Safe in the Hole

After her trip to the gem merchants’ district in the centre of the city, Sereena returns to ‘The Hole in the Wall’ adorned in expensive looking jewellery.

‘Wow Sereena… You look… Great!”

Marlon is incapable of hiding his feelings for his sorceress companion but he knows that she doesn’t feel the same.

“Thanks”, she replies, “But I didn’t feel that confident riding back here alone.”

Marlon looks embarrassed.

“Sorry Sereena. I 'ad a chore of me own that I had to take care of.”

It’s only then, that the bejeweled sorceress notices the carpenters and blacksmiths, working in the backroom where Rosey keeps the food stock and keys.

“What have you done Marlon?”

The huge warrior smiles.

“Well, I thought about what you said abaut carryin' around all our gold. I still had a lot left over after I paid all me debts, so I thought I’d leave it here wiv Rosey.”

Sereena looks skeptical.

“You can’t expect Rosey to guard your gold for you.”

Marlon smiles again.

“That's what she said but after talking abaut it, she suggested this.”

With a gesture, Marlon points to the large, heavy, wrought iron box about to be lowered into a hole in the floor.

“You’ve bought a safe?!”

Marlon continues to smile.

“Yep.”

Sereena looks stunned.

“You bought a safe to sit within a low rent tavern, bordering the West-side slums?”

Marlon’s smile falters.

“… Er… Yes.”

The sorceress sighs.

“You realise that the safe you’ve just bought, probably costs more that the building it’s going to be cemented in and that it’ll be a target for every lowlife for miles around?”

Marlon’s smile brightens a bit.

“What else was I ta do wiv it all? Anyway, I still has hundreds of gold coins left and no-one’s bovered Rosey since we got back.”

Sereena sighs again.

“And when we’re not here?”

Marlon’s smile fails.

“… Oh.”

Marlon paid 200gp for a top quality safe and gave the spare key to Rosey.

He also visits Captain Lowe, his old friends in the Nom Pariel regulars, where he ‘donates’ 50gp to their ‘relief fund’ in exchange for them extending their patrol to cover Rosey’s tavern. 

Lastly, Marlon gives Rosey another 50gp to cover the ongoing costs of a beer and a hot meal for whenever the Nom Pariel regulars drop by.

The ‘double edged’ D20

For the sake of ease and speed of game play, we collectively decided to forgo the second dice-roll required to confirm a critical hit.

Fantastic!

Unfortunately, the advantage gained worked more for me (The DM) and all my monsters than for the three of you (especially Scott).

As, has been loudly noted, the monsters get to roll a lot more dice than you.

Do we want to reconsider this decision?

Ultimately I prefer the ease.

...

But then, I would, wouldn’t I?

:)

I a Sack the Darkness!

After pressurising you all (especially Scott) into giving poor, sad Isaack a skeleton body, I inadvertently encouraged you to (due to the 'evil spell' issue) give him a Golem one instead.

A skeleton is medium sized, has about 8 Hps and does a weapon’s worth of damage.

The weakest core golem is the Flesh one.

Flesh golems are huge, have 80 odd Hps, are immune to most spells and can go berserk in battle, therefore freeing itself from Isaack’s (and Bastien’s) control.

I was looking to give you a useful and tireless but ultimately harmless, comedy assistant, not a potentially disastrous mega-monster in your midst.

…

Might be fun though.

;P

The 3rd Module!

Lesser Beholder vs A Bunch of Cheats

One of my favourite moments of our last game was watching the three of you panic at the thought of facing the Beholder of ‘Coffin Drop’.

(Coffin Drop… LOL!)

I’d only included it because Assif, in an optomistic moment, had mentioned that he fancied battling one.

Still, after including a reference to it on the second module cover, I actually read up on them.

…

They are properly terrifying!

A monster, it seems, designed for TPWs (Total Party Wipes). Unfortunately I felt committed to its inclusion.

Then I noticed the poor Gauth.

Looks like a Beholder but with only a quarter of the calories.

Perfect!

Just before the second assault, I wandered off to make some tea, while you all considered your plan of action.

I returned, with loaded tray, ten minutes later to catch you all intently reading through the Beholder entry in the Monster Manual.

You’d spotted what I had and meta-gamingly guessed my unwillingness to use the proper Big-bad.

I should have punished you for your cheekiness but your plan was really good and ultimately successful.

Frankly, I’d expected you all to have looked up the Beholder, and therefore Gauth, on-line before the weekend.

Also, I was really relieved that you survived unscathed. Especially after the previous Ogre Zombie fiasco.

A Third Date with Deathtiny…

Hopefully, you’ve all enjoyed the D&D ‘Cottage of Doom’ sessions as much as I have.

If true, Do you fancy playing again and if so; when?

Pre or Post Christmas?

I’m happy with any ‘Yes, we’d like to play again’ responses.

Although, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t already been thinking about the next adventure, I’ve only just started putting pen to paper, and that’s just me considering the new module cover.

I’ll need at least a month to finish writing/planning it.

So far, I’ve got a working title, an idea for the main antagonist and the first draft of cover blurb.

:)

Keep your Rubies Close and your Emeralds Closer

After counting and recounting her platinum, gold, silver and copper coins, Sereena smiles, stretches and sighs.

With a room to herself, she’s spent the better part of the last week sprawling in piles of it but now she’s finally found the will to make the decision she’d been procrastinating over.

She can’t abide the thought of the magical bag; Isaack holding on to it all, so she needs to exchange the bulky and heavy coins into easily carried gems and jewellery.

She’ll take a hit on the exchange but, hopefully, her charm and stubbornness should minimize the loss.

On the upside, she’ll look absolutely fabulous!

Interesting Old Friends

Looking at the pile of gold, platinum and silver spread across the floor of the room he shares with the Half-Elf; Nitendae, Marlon scratches his head.

He’s already paid back his debts to Bastien and Nitendae but he’s still got more coin than he ever imagined he would ever have.

Counting up a suitable amount and leaving the remainder under his bed, Marlon heads out towards the Moorcocks combat academy.

Once there, the diminutive Pechi, looks up from sorting through the weapon lockers and grins.

“Boy! You’re still alive?”

The two men embrace. Despite their obvious physical differences, Pechi has very paternal feelings for the giant orphan boy.

“What are you doing here? Need somewhere to stay?”

In response, Marlon shrugs off his old backpack and proffers it to his mentor.

Looking curious, Pechi takes the heavy bag and peers inside.

“It’s the gold I owe you... And a bit extra as... er, a thank you.”

Pechi smiles up at his young student.

“That wasn’t necessary son.”

Marlon smiles in return.

“Yes it was.”

Putting his arm around Marlon’s thick waist, Pechi maneuvers him toward the door.

“Well, at least you can join my family for dinner. My wife’s making a hog-roast tonight and it's the best you'll ever taste!.”

Marlon gives/repays Pechi 400gp and clears his debts.

S&M

While sharing a simple cooked breakfast in the ‘Hole in the wall’, Marlon’s mumbling begins to annoy Sereena.

“Look Marlon, if you don’t want the stupid giant club; sell it!”

Sereena barely glances up at her hulking friend.

“But I can’t just sell it. They gave it to me ta use!”

The young sorceress grits her perfect white teeth.

“They also gave you that ridiculous six foot shield. Can you use them both simultaneously?”

Marlon’s brow furrows.

“Sima-what?”

“Simultaneously… At the same time.”

The massive fighter’s eyes brighten as he understands.

“Er… No but I suppose I could use ‘em one atta time.”

Sereena stops and raises her beautiful face toward her dim-witted teammate.

“What would you rather use; the shield to protect us all or the crude two-handed club to hurt others?”

Marlon smiles.

“… To protect us?”

The muscle-bound fighter responds as if his answer was a question but Sereena’s nodding response reassures him that he answered correctly.

Maybe he could trade it for an enchanted War Hammer?

But wait…

He’d better pay Nitendae and Bastien back what he owes them first…

Marlon pays Nitendae back : 200gp for training school.

Marlon pays Bastien back: 950gp for pass-me-down plate mail and refitting.

Then he returns to the wizard Shuckstaris, to attempt a mutually beneficial trade.

(Marlon swaps the magical great club and Master work Warhammer for a magical Warhammer +1 and additional gold coins to make up the difference.)

Sorry. After I posted up the 'Total and Final Treasure Account', I remembered Marlon's debt.

:S

So; Total and Final Account of Gold and Magic

Written below is the total profit made from the last adventure, including initial fee, money found (killed for), magic found (killed for), mundane and magical items sold and fees paid.

Gold:

Volkon: 97pp / 4,629gp / 22sp / 13cp

Bastien: 98pp / 4,620gp / 20sp / 12cp

Nitendae: 98pp / 4,620gp / 20sp / 12cp

Marlon: 48pp / 1,074gp / 15sp / 6cp

Sereena: 48pp / 1,074gp / 15sp / 6cp

Demitasse: 0gp

Magic:

Volkon:      1) Gauntlets of Ogre Power

                   2) Composite (14Str) Longbows +1

Bastien:      1) Brooch of Shielding

                   2) Two Handed sword +2 (Spell Storing)

Nitendae:

                   1) Cloak of Elven Kind

                   2) Rapier +2 Keen

                   3) Composite (14Str) Longbows +1 

                   4) Short sword +1 of Speed (Glows)

                   5)  Poison: Fort DC: 13: Unconscious for 1 minute / Unconscious for 5 hours (26 doses)

Marlon:      1) Two handed Great Club +2

                   2) Tower shield +1 (Arrow Catching)

Sereena:      1) Glove of storing

                   2) Wand of Lightning  

                   3) Bag of tricks (Grey)

                   4) Necklace of Black Onyx beads

Demitasse:  1) Periapt of Health

                   2) Elven Chain (medium)

Issaack:      1) Potion of CsWs (3d8+5)

                   2) Ever smoking bottle

                   3) Elixir of Truth

                   4) Ebony Fly (Volant Hebenum)

Property:

Volkon: One third share of 'The Hole in the Wall' tavern

Bastien: One third share of 'The Hole in the Wall' tavern

Nitendae: One third share of 'The Hole in the Wall' tavern

Whilst you can buy anything mundane you want (for the standard price), you cannot simply buy magical equipment (off screen). There are a few ‘Ye Old Magical Shoppes’ in Nompariel but they do not just have exactly what you want.

Shuckstaris saw you coming

Although she’s often walked past this small alleyway shop, Sereena had never been inside.

She’d never had enough gold to warrant it.

Now though, with the muscle-brained Marlon beside her, she was here to sell rather than buy.

“We’re here to sell”, she murmurs to the hunched figure behind the smoked glass display.

Without even looking up, the hooded figure hands over a large purse full of platinum coins.

“You don’t even know what we’re selling!”

The seated man, shrugs off his hood, revealing a bald head, thick beard and piercing amber eyes.

“Don’t I?”

Sereena peers into the coin purse and estimates how much it contains.

Before she’s finished counting though, she’s interrupted by the shopkeeper.

“It’s One hundred and eighty platinum coins.”

Sereena looks up.

“That’s more than we were expecting.”

The vendor’s face splits into a wide smile. His teeth are made entirely of gold.

“I know, I’m a fool but I liked the look of your face.”

Leaving the magical leather armour and Drow crossbow behind, Sereena tries to drag the gormless but enormous Marlon out of the shop.

The Wizard shopkeeper, waves a hand at her though.

“Wait outside for your bulky collegue. The magical sack’s got a couple of questions he wants to ask me”

The Party gets 180pp

Therefore:  Volkon: 45pp

                   Nitendae: 45pp

                   Bastien: 45pp                      

                   Sereena: 22pp, 5gp

                   Marlon: 22pp, 5gp

Money for nothing but your bows for free

With the aid of Marlon doing the heavy lifting, Sereena haggles with the arms and armour vendor.

“You call that generous? This stuff is worth twice as much!”

Hrum Durum; the proprietor goes red in the face with indignation.

“That was a reasonable offer. I’ll have to smelt these ‘evil’ holy symbols back down to ingots and I’m not sure if I can even find buyers for these weird mini crossbows…”

Sereena sees her opening.

“You mean the incredibly rare and well crafted elven hand crossbows? Surely they’d add class and exclusivity to your stock? Having even a couple of them in you window would create quite a stir… You’ll be famous in the merchants’ quarter.”

The shopkeeper buckles.

“Alright, I’ll raise my offer by 5% but… don’t tell anyone.”

Sereena keeps her smile hidden but Marlon grins like an idiot and shakes the shopkeeper joyfully by the hand.

Gold traded for ‘mundane’ equipment: 2,172gp

Therefore:   Volkon: 543gp

                    Nitendae: 543gp

                    Bastien: 543gp                       

                    Sereena: 271gp, 5sp

                    Marlon: 271gp, 5sp

(The two quivers and 38 arrows are given to Nitendae and Volkon.)

Over Familiar

While collecting her scant(y) belongings from the Rampant Unicorn, Sereena feels something soft, brush against her bare ankle.

Looking down she spies the dusk coloured Cogitari; the cat spirit familiar of the Half-elf Nitendae.

He’d been hit hard by the Drow poison, so Sereena was surprised to see the socerer-thief up and around.

… But he wasn’t around.

He must be downstairs. A familiar never willingly strays far from its master.

“Hey pussy-cat. Where’s your elf?”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Sereena’s own white ferret familiar pounces onto the cat, its razor-sharp teeth, piercing fur and flesh.

Within seconds, all can be seen is a whirling blur of light and dark.

Instinctively, the sorceress reaches in to prise them apart.

It’s a mistake.

Claws and teeth rip into her bare flesh.

She tries to scream but her voice is lost in a swirling confusion of images.

Demon cats and monstrous ferrets battling for supremacy.

Battling for her blood and soul.

…

Hours later, Sereena is roused by one of the other dancers. She’s lying on the floor beside her old bed, covered in blood, bites and scratches.

Her ferret is nowhere to be seen.

Only the cat Cogitari remains, who sits, looking up with a guilty but victorious expression.

“You’re mine and I am yours.”

Understanding finally dawns on Sereena, as she clambers to her feet.

Either Nitendae has died or his magical link to his cat has been permanently severed.

Either way, the cat Cogitari choose her over death.

Sereena feels a brief moment of sorrow for her lost pet but somehow knows that this new link, this new familiar is far stronger.

Strong enough to last a lifetime.

Left over Magical stuff

Some of the magical loot still hasn't been allocated. 

This much I know:

Bastien  takes:

1) Brooch of Shielding

2) Two Handed sword +2 (Spell Storing)

Nitendae takes:

1) Cloak of Elven Kind

2) Rapier +2 Keen

3) Composite (14Str) Longbows +1 

4) Short sword +1 of Speed (Glows)

Volkon takes:            

1) Gauntlets of Ogre Power

2) Composite (14Str) Longbows +1

Marlon gets:            

1) Two handed Great Club +2

2) Tower shield +1 (Arrow Catching)

Sereena gets:            
                        1) Glove of storing
                        2) Wand of Lightning  (Sereena)
                        3) Bag of tricks (Grey)
                        4) Necklace of Black Onyx beads

So what about the remainder?

1) Ever smoking bottle

2) Elixir of Truth

3) Ebony Fly (Volant Hebenum)

4) Periapt of Health

5) Leather armour +1

6) Elven Chain (medium)

7) Drow Hand Crossbow +1

You can allocate some of it between the six of you.

Sereena will very happily take the elixir and the ebony fly.

Demitasse (despite not expecting anything) would benefit from the Elven chain armour and the periapt.

Marlon also fancies the Ever smoking bottle.

That just leaves the Leather armour +1 and Drow crossbow.

You can sell some/all of it for cash. Sereena would get you a good price.

You can store it all in Isaack.

Or you can do any combination of the above...

Dumb Lug

Lying in the soft feather bed in the chambers behind the main church, Lugdum carefully peels back the blood-stained sheet covering his chest.

He’d cleaned the wound and it’s healing well but he’d still have to be careful for a day or two.

Provoking three of those skeletons simultaneously had been a mistake.

They were harder to hurt than he’d thought.

Still, there are only a few left now and next time, he wouldn’t throw his magical axe ‘Blood Pelter’ without having a back-up weapon.

Lying back, the orc wonders how many days he’ll have to wait before the Pelor priests arrive and he can rejoin his clan brothers for drinks and glory.

Maybe he should finish the skeletons off tomorrow?

His wounds would be mostly healed by then…

The Living Nitendae lights

My cousin’s in-game behaviour has reinforced my view that personality traits are as much hard-wired into our genetic code as is our height, eye colour and skin tone.

When we played in the university group, I was usually alone in my desire not to risk my neck or when we were forced into it, to stack the odds as heavily in my/our favour as I possibly could.

David played similarly. Always looking for a way not to put himself in harms way and to reduce the threat of his opponents.

In the battle in the church of Pelor, Nitendae suggested you lead the Ogre Zombie out of the desecrated church. If you had, The creature’s ability to hit and hurt would have been sorely reduced. It would also have allowed a more coordinated assault against it.

Later, in the deep cavern (while Volkon was trapped down a pit) I suggested Nitendae actively try to kill a few of the Drow instead of just skulking about out of sight. After David’s initial refusal, he begrudgingly gave way with the end result of Nitendae being immediately hit by two poisoned bolts and lying unconscious on the floor.

My bad.

Ultimately, Nitendae is David’s character to control however he likes but I’d advise you all to listen to him.

Nitendae’s recent transformation from Rogue/Sorcerer to Rogue/Ranger, might make him a bit braver but I doubt it.

Regardless though, his ‘cautiousness’ may just save ALL your lives…

Laying down the Pelor

Hands clenched tightly behind his back and head bowed, Demitasse stands in silence as Quondam, the Canon of his church responds to his report.

To his surprise, the old man doesn’t shout or scream at him for his failure but merely says…

“Hem.”

He then sends for some gold to repay Bastien, Volkon and Nitendea for the magical axe they used to secure the orc Lugdum’s services.

After a few minutes of silence, a heavy chest arrives.

“Give this to your new associates”.

Demitasse looks confused.

“Associates your worship?”

Quondam smiles a slow, sad smile.

“Yes, my young apprentice. As you and the cleric of Fharlanghn are both now searching for lost artifacts of your respective houses; your fates are intertwined. Your mission is now the same as his mission… Find the lost artifact and stop whatever evil plot the Drow have planned for it”.

The young, bearded cleric genuflects in reverence before backing out of Quondam’s extravagant chambers.

“As is your wish.”

The chest is delivered within the hour and the Party get another 8,400gp.

None of the henchmen were around when the axe was first won, so therefore the spoils needn’t be divided up beyond three shares.

Bastien: 2,800gp

Volkon: 2,800gp

Nitendae: 2,800gp

Whole in the Wall

Without much thought, the Party rides straight to the hovel Inn they’d accidentally bought just a few weeks before.

Only Demitasse diverts to his cathedral to report his failure and face the wrath of his superiors.

The sight that greets them though is very different to that which they left.

Canvas and rotten wood have been replaced with new timber and rough brick.

It’s crudely done and far from appealing but it’s certainly a lot more weather resistant and secure.

After tethering your horses to the rail outside, the five of you enter to find a warm fire blazing in the hearth and a warmer hearted Rosy chatting to her customers. On seeing you, she raises her head and beams a welcoming smile at you.

“Gods be praised! I was beginning to worry I’d not never see you again!”

A table is quickly cleared and drinks and food brought forth.

Despite the poverty of the surrounding area, the food is surprisingly good. Simple but well prepared and the ale, clean and sweet.

As you all tear into the chunks of fresh bread dipped in a meaty stew and quaff your drinks, Rosy explains the changes.

“In addition to the gold you gave ‘im, you scared ol’ Dunken good. He ain’t bin back since and I’ve bin able to use the ‘rent’ money for repairs. Sure, it ain’t pretty but I promise, it’ll only get better.”

The rounded, middle-aged woman suddenly looks aghast.

“That were alright weren’t it? I figured you’d want a secure place to stay and I’ve got your rooms all set up in anticipation for you.”

She smiles again even as she apologises.

“We only has four rooms though. I live in one, so I’m afraid you’ll have to share two-to-a-room… Except the young lady of course.”

(Rosey has spent every spare coin earned since your purchase on repairs.)

Marlon shares with Nitendae.

Volkon shares with Bastien.

Lucky Sereena gets a room to herself.

I got sore but I'm not a sorcerer

Nite' woke, damp earth for a bed and his elven cloak a pillow.
For the first time in weeks the loss of Cogitari a dull ache instead of the paralysing heart break.

They'd arrived back in Nompariel with little excitement, Nitendae feeling tired and slow which was put down to the drow poison he'd been hit with and he had moved into the 'Hole in the Wall'.
The following day he had woken in agony the small area of comfort and calm that was Cogitari's presence missing, the cat also nowhere to be seen. He'd staggered down and onto the streets searching for the only other sorcerer he knew, Seerina.
Staggering like a drunk, tears and snot smeared across his face he managed to find his way to where Seerina worked and lived. Forcing his way past the doorguard, sword flailing dangerously, he crashed into Seerina's room.
Seerina was there, covered in scratches to arms and face but with Cogitari curled on her lap. Anger, fear and loss struggled to control Nitendae and only the arrival of the doorguard with reinforcements managed to subdue Nite' before he could violently lash out.

It was explained over the next few days that the drow poison had infected Nite's blood to such an extent that it blocked the sorcerous connection, without that, the link with Cogitari had been broken. It was not clear just how Seerina had managed to pick up the bond saving the cat, which would of died, and preventing the effect on Nite' being even more sever.

Nitendae had left the town heading into the surrounding wild countryside, for although he was alive the loss of the familiar was crippling.
It was out in the wilds that a ranger scout had shared her camp with him and seeing his need had guided him, aiding him to fill the hole that Cogitari had left with a more general empathy for animals and nature.
Nite' took to the instruction well, the skills of the ranger fitting well with skills he already had, his natural agility merging with the rangers fighting style, the calmness and serenity of the wilds easing the loss of his familiar.

So today he was awake before Tieka, the ranger scout, he felt calm - senses alert to sounds and smells around - no longer was he unfocused, unconsciously searching for his familiar. He was finally ready to return to town.

I Ain’t Got Nobody…

On the journey back to Nonpariel, despite Bastien’s moral objections, Isaack takes the opportunity to plead, wheedle and beg…

“You see back there, if I’d had a body, I could have acted as a field medic and healed the dying. I always know who’s the closest to death anyway. All I’d need is a supply of healing drafts and I could carry a million of them!”

Isaack takes Bastien’s unimpressed expression as a cue to continue…

“I could also have thrown Volkon a rope when he was stuck in that pit!”

“Both times!”

“And in addition to shouting a warning when those dirty thieves tried to steal me, I could have actually stopped them myself!”

“With a couple of hands, I could carry even more than I do now!”

“Considering my magical ability to find things, I could run and fetch whatever you need, whenever you need it. Like me, Skeletons don’t need to sleep and they can see in the dark so… Day or night; no problem.”

“I could carry the torches… Hell, you could cast ‘Constant flame’ on my skull head. It’d look AWESOME!”

“If you gave me just a measly skeleton, I could armour and arm myself from stuff I already have and be a real asset to you. Not only could I fight and flank but I could fight suicidally!… As long as you promise to fetch me after my body’s destroyed.”

“And… and as I don’t need to sleep… If I had legs to stand on… I could actually stand guard… All night… EVERY NIGHT!”

Bastien nods in agreement to all of Isaacks arguments but still refuses. Necromancy is inherently evil and the very thought of it makes him shudder in revulsion.

If anything, Isaack’s arguments have strengthened his belief that evil must be driven back.

Sensing his chance waning, the immobile but quick-witted backpack tries the last tactic available to him…

“PLEEEEEEEEEASE!”

Back to basics

Volkon sat back, a mess of ropes and gripping ions in his hands.  The cliff face loomed at him uncaring in stony silence.  His teacher barked orders at him and Volkon picked himself up and tried again. And again.
He wasn't about to give up.  After the debacle of the last adventure, Volkon realised he needed to go back to basics and improve his climbing and jumping.  He could swing his sword like a Titan of old, but it was no good if you fell into a pit and couldn't climb out!
So, he practiced. Climbing, and the art of the long-jump.
A bonus though was that his clever teacher also taught him a thing or two about tumbling in and out of battle situations. Nice :)

Skele-Tons of Fun

The young orc Lugdum grunts as the others leave him behind to guard the Pelor commune on Coffin Butte.

He had ten gold pieces in his coin purse and the most fantastic Great-Axe he’d ever seen.

He watched the party descend the bronze rods bolted onto the cliff-face.

On the way through the wood, Bastien had remembered the skeletal, belled guards but they were easy to avoid. The cleric had warned Lugdum to do the same on the way back but the young orc had merely smiled.

Now that the humans had gone, he’d get to play with his new weapon.

The orc had promised to bury or burn the dead and he had every intention of fulfilling his promise.

But first things first…

Grinning, Lugdum charges back into skeleton wood, looking for trouble.

Schrödinger’s Cleric

Due to an unfortunate (oh the horror!) oversight of Scott’s and mine, Bastien may or may not have been killed by the magically bolstered, repeatedly healed, plate-mail wearing, ogre, zombie.

Bastien was wearing a suit of magically ‘fortified’ armour that gave him partial protection from sneak attacks and critical hits.

He therefore would have ‘only’ been killed three times out of four (25% chance of merely being knocked unconscious).

This means that until our next game session, Bastien the Cleric is both 6^th AND 7^th level!

:S

"DING"!

The long journey back to Nompariel has given me time to further hone my skills and do some soul searching. Now that I am back to the safety of civilisation I can take the time to describe this in my journal.

The strange and mysterious forces behind for the reprehensible attack on my own parish now threaten all that is good. Fharlanghn teaches us that the journey is all-important and the direction that my own journey is to take is now clearer than ever.

But it is also clear that I cannot take anything for granted. My brush with death has taught me that much at least, and I must endeavour to never find myself in such a situation again. Certain fortifying powers are gifted to me by my deity, and so I have chosen to focus my attention more... assertively.

With the aid of my magical shield I feel more confident to over-extend, take the initiative, and I have been practising new stances, formations and movements that take full advantage of this. My new magical weapon feels lighter in my hands and I have found a manoeuvre that allows me to press my attack when I down a foe. Bastien's sixth level feat is Cleave.

Turning to more philosophical matters I have given much thought to Isaak's request to animate a skeleton to bear his weight. His pleas for such a thing have not fallen on deaf ears. His arguments are compelling, and I cannot deny his logic that an extra pair of hands would be useful on my quest. Furthermore, I cannot stand by and let one who shows such devotion to the journey stagnate. It is not his fault that he has been bestowed with the hunger to travel, but not the means to do so.

With that said, the notion of animating the dead and allowing such foul monstrosities to walk this earth is abhorrent to me and I will not be party to such a plan. Bastien's alignment has changed to Neutral Good.

I have spoken with Isaak, with whom I have struck an unexpected friendship. Whilst he is not happy with my decision, he is intelligent enough to understand and I have sworn to find another solution that will give him the freedom he craves. He has told me extraordinary tales of creatures known as 'go-lems' who he claims are willing servants who follow commands with devotion and without question.

He also claims that one may build such creatures from raw materials! If such a thing is truly possible I will do everything within my power to make it so.

First, thanks to the note takers..:-)

Re gold, we had already spent 960gp given by the canon.
750 went on some CSW potions.
200 went on buying 'The Hole in the Wall'
10 went on hiring the orcs.
So deduct 240gp from us and 120gp from hench

Nite' would appreciate the Rapier +2 (keen) and some of the poisons.
I have no interest in the glove or the wand so more than happy to let Seerina have them.
Give Isak the useful stuff to keep, Periapt/flask of smoke/truth potion, and sell the rest.

RE Hench, I am happy to keep Marlon and Seerina.
My vote goes to keeping 'rock me' Demitass/ healer rather than the orc/ fighter.
Also think it may be better have Seerina carry Isak, unless he gets his legs, as she can keep a hand free. Marlon is more useful hands full.

Pain in the Butte

After making the arduous climb back up to the top of the 300’ vertical pit, Demitasse crumples to the floor.

“I’ve failed! We were too slow and too weak to reclaim the holy Sunshard.”

Marlon is the first to console him.

“We didn’t fail. We killed many of those weird black-faced elf things and we reclaimed your church from the Death worshippers!”

Sereena puts her hand on Demitasse’s shoulder.

“Your church asked too much of a lowly initiate and yet, we now know who’s behind all these thefts. You must relay this information to your superiors at once.”

Demitasse looks up and wipes the tears from his eyes.

“You’re right but I can’t just abandon this holy place…”

There’s silence for a moment.

Demitasse has to leave but no-one in the party is prepared to be left behind.

“Me stay.”

The orc mercenary Lugdum shrugs.

“Me can bury dead clan brothers and burn zombies while guarding your precious Butte.”

Demitasse looks surprised.

“You’d do that for me?”

The battle-scarred orc looks embarrassed.

“Sure… If you let me keep this Axe.”

Lugdum will guard the Butte until Demitasse can send some reinforcements in exchange for the Great Axe of Throwing +1 that he'd used to kill Master Flint.

Simplified Treasure list

Magical items:

Brooch of Shielding (Bastien)

Two Handed sword +2 (Spell Storing) (Bastien)

Short sword +1 of Speed (Glows)  (Nitendea)

Cloak of Elven Kind (Nitendea)

Rapier +2 Keen (Nitendea)

Composite (14Str) Longbows +1 (Nitendea)

Gauntlets of Ogre Power (Volkon)

Composite (14Str) Longbows +1 (Volkon)

Two handed Great Club +2 (Marlon)

Tower shield +1 (Arrow Catching) (Marlon)

Bag of tricks (Grey) (Serrena)

Ever smoking bottle (?)

Elixir of Truth (?)

Ebony Fly (Volant Hebenum) (?)

Periapt of Health  (?)

Leather armour +1 (?)

Elven Chain (medium) (?)

Hand Crossbow +1  (?)

Glove of storing  (?)

Wand of Lightning  (?)

(Sereena asks for the wand if Nitendae doesn't want it.)

Coins:

210pp / 3, 396gp / 82sp / 49cps

Therefore: (If you divide it equally... )

Volkon: 52pp / 856gp / 22sp / 13cp

Bastien: 53pp / 847gp / 20sp / 12cp

Nitendae: 53pp / 847gp / 20sp / 12cp

Marlon: 26pp / 423gp / 10sp / 6cp

Sereena: 26pp / 423gp / 10sp / 6cp

(Demitasse was doing it for his church and Lugdum was on minimum wage... )

Jewellery:

Necklace of black onyx beads (some large (50gp), some small (25gp) and all easily detached.) Total value: 1.000gp! (Can be used with Animate dead spell.)

Holy Symbol of Lolth (Silver) Value: 25gp

Holy Symbol of Nerull (Silver) Value: 25gp

Poisons and Potions:

Poison: Fort DC: 13: Unconscious for 1 minute / Unconscious for 5 hours (26 doses)

Potion of CsWs (3d8+5)

Mundane equipment:

(MW) Studded Leather armour x 2

Longswords (MW) x 2

Scythe (MW)

Normal leather armour

Throwing Daggers x 2

Quivers x 2

38 arrows

Fine dark Robes

Coin purses (empty) x 16

Long spears x 2

Rapiers x 12

Chain shirts x 12

Bucklers x 13

Hand Crossbows x 12

Hand Crossbow Bolts x 122

(Isaack is more than happy to rearrange/dump some of his stuff and store any or all of the booty for the Party.)

Experience and Treasure

Thanks Kirk for saving me huge amounts of trouble :)

I'll just add in my calculation of experience which also includes the various incidentals that the generous DM allocated during the adventure:

Experience

please refer to Kirk's numbers in the earlier post.

Treasure

Of course, Kirk's treasure is definitive, I'll just add how I understand they were allocated;

Brooch of Shielding [dont' know]
Bag of Tricks (grey) [Serena]
Shortsword +1 of Speed [Nite]
Cloak of Elvenkind [Nite]
2 Handed Great-club +2 [Marlon]
Potion CSW [Nite]
Gauntlets of Ogre Kind [Volkon]
Tower Shield +1 (Arrow catching) [Marlon]
Two handed sword +2 (Spell storing) [Bastien]
2 x Composite longbows +1 (Str 14) [Volkon, Nite]
Elixir of Truth [in Isaac]
Eversmoking bottle [?]
Figurine of Wonderous Power (Fly) [?]
Onyx Beads [Serena?]

Leather armour ?? didn't note that one down ....

More Treasure!

Dead Pals of Dunken the ex-landlord of ‘The Hole in the Wall’:

2sp / 14cps

Payment from Quondam: Head priest of Nonpareil’s Cathedral of Pelor:

3,000gp / Broach of Shielding

Rob & Mugsy: Unfortunate opportunists from ‘The Forbode Inn’:

Normal leather armour / Short sword +1 of Speed (Glows) / Throwing Daggers x2 / Bag of tricks (grey) / Cloak of Elven Kind / Coin purse: 120gp / 48sp / 23cp / Leather armour +1/ Two handed Great Club +2 / Gauntlets of Ogre Power / Potion of CsWs (3d8+5) / Coin purse: 68gp

(Not sure if you used that potion…)

Viktor & Timult: Annoying archers and defenders of the desecrated church of Pelor:

MW Studded Leather armour x2 / Composite (14Str) Longbows +1 x2 / Longswords (MW) x2 / Ever smoking bottle / Elixir of Truth / Quivers x2 / 38 arrows / Coin purses: 20pp

Zombernaut:

Two Handed sword +2 (Spell Storing) / Tower shield +1 (Arrow Catching)

Master Flint: Cleaved in two leader of the Nerul priests:

Ebony Fly (Volant Hebenum) / Periapt of Health / Robes / Scythe / Necklace of black onyx beads (some large (50gp), some small (25gp) and all easily detached.) Total value: 1.000gp! / Coin purse: 50pp / 28gp / 32sp / 12cp

Drow minions:

Long spears x 2 / Rapiers x 12 / Chain shirts x 12 / Bucklers x12 / Hand Crossbows x12 / bolts x200 / Poison: Fort DC: 13: Unconscious for 1 minute / Unconscious for 5 hours (26 doses) / Coin purses: 120pp

Drow Sergeant: Vlyudmila:

Rapier +2 Keen / Elven Chain / Buckler / Hand Crossbow +1/ bolts / Holy Symbol of Lolth / Glove of storing (Wand of Lightning!) / Poison (4 doses) / Coin purse: 20pp

And the award for terrible dice rolling goes to...

Assif!

As Assif said: "Doesn't really resonate with my D&D experience".

SECOND EXPERIENCE BUNDLE!

From beating the thug Dunken and buying the ‘Hole in the Wall’ tavern to defeating the lesser beholder and forcing Flutin the Drider to flee, the Party did surprisingly well…

Volkon: 22,152 xp = 7^th Level!

Nitendae: 22,082 xp = 7^th Level!

Bastien: 19,122 xp = 6^th Level! or Bastien: 22,122 xp = 7^th Level!

Marlon: 6,832 xp = 4^th Level!

Sereena: 6,832 xp = 4^th Level!

Demitasse: 6,001 xp = 4^th Level! (Additional bonus for wailing at his failure off screen.)

Lugdum: 4,782 xp = 3 ^rd Level!

Unaccountable awards were given for ‘Charlie-the-Cat-trivia’, ‘Role-playing’ and ‘Not-whining-at-the-DM-for-dying’.

Assif’s Volkon seemed much better suited to his natural ‘Kick-in-the-door’ play style and Scott (apart from that once) was very comfortable with his ‘Flying-armoured-battle-cleric’. David’s thief looked a little underpowered compared to his peers. Perhaps it was down to an adventure of mostly combat encounters. Perhaps Nitendae is being pulled down by his (effectively pointless) level one Sorcerer anchor?

As for the Henchmen…

Marlon and Sereena are happy to hold their positions but I’ll allow only one of the remaining two to stay.

So who do you want; Demitasse the cowardly cleric of Pelor or Lugdum the apparently suicidal orc (possibly Barbarian) warrior?

Whoever you want will accept the offer and the other won't be the slightest bit offended.


(Above figures slightly raised due to a disparity in Assif's and my accounting.) 

(Bastien's true experience and level to be decided on the result of a D4.)